"Even though I have only been here a short time, I’ve loved working with the staff and the clients we serve. Every day is something new and full of surprises." 

- Ron Courtney, Residential Program Manager

We are excited to be able to announce a donation of $25,000 from the Gheens Foundation towards BGH’s much-needed facilities renovation costs. Support from Gheens has allowed for continuity of our programs for many years. In 2024, Gheens has been able to assist us with the ability to cover repairs for our aging buildings that have served clients well since 1948, to ensure we can continue to serve young people in healthy environments where they can be inspired. 

We are so proud to recognize our continued partnership with Kosair for Kids. This year, as has been the case for many years, Kosair for Kids is a major supporter of BGH – in fact, Kosair is our largest single annually-recurring grant funder. The Kosair for Kids investment of $100,000 helps ensure that we can provide continuum of direct care services with a goal of happy and healthy young people living life to the fullest. 

We want to give a huge shoutout to our friends at Churchill McGee for their incredible generosity and community spirit! They went above and beyond by patching holes and painting the drywall in our gym—completely free of charge. And that’s not all—they also covered the cost of all the supplies. Thanks to their kindness, our gym is looking better than ever! 

This Thanksgiving, our campus was filled with gratitude, laughter, and the warmth of community as we came together for a special holiday dinner. We are thankful to have had 17 incredible volunteers, including representatives from two amazing groups: Churchill McGee Construction and Mercy Worldwide. Their time, energy, and dedication, combined with the efforts of our hardworking staff and the joy brought by the amazing kids, made the evening truly special. It was a team effort that created a palpable sense of connection and gratitude. Moments like these remind us of the strength and love within our Boys & Girls Haven family. 

Boys and Girls Haven was thrilled to participate in the SLHI Pajama Palooza and Holiday Market, an inspiring event dedicated to raising funds for their mission of "Changing Lives of Orphans One Child At a Time." Each year, BGH benefits from this wonderful initiative by receiving Christmas pajamas and Back-to-School supplies for the children we serve. This year, it was an honor to partner at the event, where we shared information about the critical need for foster parents in our community, as well as our counseling services and other programs at BGH. 

On March 1st, 2025, from 9am-12pm, the Mellwood Art Center will host the 12th Annual Gravy Cup, the world’s largest biscuits and gravy competition. More than 30 local professional chefs and home cooks will showcase their best gravy recipes for a panel of professional and celebrity judges and over 800 attendees. Competitors will be divided into three categories: Traditional (pork sausage roux), Non-Traditional (brown, red-eye, chorizo) and Vegetarian/Vegan. Attendees will also vote for their favorite recipe and the winner will be awarded the People’s Choice Award!

In addition to scrumptious southern comfort food, the morning will offer exclusive merchandise, live music, a selfie station, and a cash bar. Younger gravy lovers will love the children’s area, including games, mascots, and face painting.

Want to compete in 2025? Professional and amateur chefs welcome! There is no entry fee, but contestants must bring 8+ quarts of gravy per category and bring their own chafing dishes, serving utensils, & heating equipment (Sternos).

Boys & Girls Haven is a private non-profit agency supporting youth and families in Kentucky through a multifaceted and comprehensive continuum of care. We are trauma-informed caretakers providing six core services: Residential Therapeutic Foster Care, In-Home Foster Care, Transitional Living Programs, Independence Readiness, Haven Family Counseling Services, and Animal-Assisted Therapy. Our mission is to shelter, heal, and teach children and young adults to become resilient members of our community through an integrated spectrum of care.